Zoya had dedicated her life to teaching, but now, with only a modest pension, she found herself selling vegetables at the market. Her family dynamics had shifted too—her son-in-law had remarried and moved in with his new wife, while her daughter and grandchild had come back to live with her. Despite the challenges, Zoya did her best to support them.
«Mom, it worries me to see you working so hard,» Elya expressed one day. «You should be resting instead.» Zoya smiled reassuringly, «Don’t worry about me. As long as I’m able, I’ll support you and your child. You’ve been a great help too, managing to weed the garden so quickly!»
Their life was a cycle of mutual support, clinging to the hope that happier times lay ahead. Elya often wished she could change their fortunes instantly.
One day, Zoya headed to the market, where she usually had a popular spot. However, that day, Ludmila, a former colleague, had taken her place. «You’re late today. I’ve set up here, so you’ll need to find another spot,» Ludmila said apologetically.
Zoya didn’t protest; it wasn’t her style. She simply found another spot nearby to sell her goods. While setting up, she chatted with Tanya, another vendor. «How’s your son-in-law? Hasn’t he come back yet?» Tanya inquired. «No, he’s started a new life,» Zoya replied sadly.
As they talked, a young man in unusual attire approached the market, causing a stir among the vendors.
«Could he be an escaped convict?» Ludmila whispered, alarmed.
The young man reached Zoya’s stall and, showing his empty pockets, he asked, «Auntie, I’m broke. Could I get a few apples on credit?» Zoya handed him the apples, «Take them, no need for money. But why doesn’t a strong young man like you have any cash?»
«I got tangled up in a bad romance and ended up in jail,» he explained. «I’m trying to make it back home without alarming my family. I want to surprise them.»
«Where’s home for you?» Zoya asked. «Ulyanovsk,» he replied, indicating it was quite the distance.
He then hesitated before asking Zoya for a more significant favor. «Could you lend me some money for the bus? I promise to pay you back as soon as I can,» he pleaded earnestly. Moved by his situation, Zoya gave him the needed funds.
«My name’s Pasha,» he said gratefully as he prepared to leave. «Thank you, Zoya Fedorovna!» But as he walked away, a neighboring vendor scoffed, «You’re too trusting, Zoya! He’ll never pay you back.»
Zoya responded firmly, «We must support one another. We are humans, not heartless creatures.» Despite the skepticism around her, she believed in the goodness of helping others, even against the odds.
Brushing off a comment from Tanya, Zoya began to pack her belongings to head home. The week had worn her down, and the thought of her warm house was comforting.
By Saturday, Elya was bedridden with a fever. Zoya, ever resourceful, gathered herbs from her garden and brewed remedies to soothe her daughter’s ailments. As evening fell, her granddaughter approached, clutching a storybook. «Granny, could you read me a fairy tale?» she asked, tugging at Zoya’s sleeve. Smiling warmly, Zoya nodded, «Of course, my dear.»
Outside, the rain began to fall, creating a rhythmic patter against the windows. Inside, the crackle of firewood in the stove filled the room as Elya, feeling a bit better, managed to set the table for dinner. The family was just about to eat when an unexpected knock came at the door.
Exchanging puzzled glances, neither Zoya nor Elya were expecting visitors. «May I come in?» a voice asked, as the door gently opened. The man who entered was vaguely familiar to Zoya, who squinted before recognition dawned on her. «Pasha?» she exclaimed. «Yes, it’s me, Zoya Fedorovna. I’m sorry for not returning what I owed sooner. Things have been complicated,» he replied, looking somewhat different, cleaned up and well-dressed.
«You’ve changed so much, I barely recognized you!» Zoya chuckled. Elya, catching on to the visitor’s identity, hesitantly invited him, «Please, join us for dinner.»
As they ate, Pasha recounted his story of wrongful imprisonment and how he had been sentenced to three years. He explained his comeback, now leading a department at a local clinic. «If there’s ever anything you need, please visit me at work,» he offered, glancing at Elya with a meaningful look.
The following week, a car familiar to Zoya pulled up outside her home. Pavel stepped out, holding a large bouquet of flowers. Watching from the window, Zoya teased her daughter, «Look, Elya! It seems your admirer has arrived. Could we be preparing for a wedding soon?» Elya, holding Liza close, laughed heartily. «It looks like our time for celebration has finally arrived!»
